From the country that brought you crème brulée, haute couture, and Marie Antoinette*, comes that grande dame of all decorating magazines, Elle Decoration France. Every issue is a treasure trove of interiors indulgence, and I'm like a greedy pirate plundering its glimmering pages.
The magazine highlights a mix of decorating styles, but I'm especially drawn to these antiques-laden spaces. Think rundown manors and timeworn pieds-à-terre--just right for hosting elite soirées or holing yourself away to pen your ouevre.
Even if you don't succumb to fits of ecstasy at the sight of all this faded glory (and in that case, what's wrong with you?!) there's still some serious inspiration to be gained from all this neoclassical goodness. Textures are multilayered, colors are rich and complex. Royal purple bench? Come to mama, my pretty!
And who knew that chartreuse and mauve is a match made in heaven? I love the idea of creating a hallway haven by painting the walls the same hue as the curtains, then lining the curtains in a dramatically different shade. Gleaming white floors and a crazy-quirky cabinet don't hurt either.
Another lesson from les français: even in opulence there must be order. Absent is the tacky, classless brick-a-brack of other periodicals (cough, Architectural Digest, cough). Instead you'll find carefully edited objets that seem to have grown organically over centuries.
Of course that doesn't mean you should take your vows of abstinence from les plaisirs! A massive gilt mirror is the ultimate in French fabulousness, especially in the bathroom. Drape your silk negligée over the chair and slather yourself with expensive body cream--preferably one that contains caviar.
You know how French girls possess that uncanny ability to look stunning no matter what they're wearing? Apparently that applies to French interiors as well. Damask wallpaper in robin's egg blue, fussy gold upholstery, and ancient prints matted in crinkled card--somehow it's totally working for me. Do we think Garance would approve?
It doesn't get better than this. A grey claw foot tub projects quiet continental élan, and mocha cream walls envelop the space with warmth. Battered wood floors offset the lavish rococo curves of the mirror and fixtures. The only thing missing? Me, in the bath, with a flute of champagne.
*Yeah yeah, technically Marie Antoinette was Austrian, but just go with it, okay?All images courtesy of Elle Decoration France .
Love the chartreuse and mauve combo. Stunning! And the well-thought out "objects" in the little cubbies are just perfect.
Posted by: christina | September 24, 2009 at 08:13 AM
Lovely photos as always! I'm obsessed with all things french... the purple bench and huge gold mirror are gorgeous!
Posted by: Daniella | September 24, 2009 at 08:16 AM
It's funny you should say this about "bric-a-brac" because I was looking at one of my Paris design books this past weekend, and thinking how much I preferred the "realness" of French interior design photography versus the highly styled American interior design magazines. I prefer to see people use their furniture, shelves and tables--I hate when it looks like some interior decorator bought everything--it's so impersonal!
Anyway, I think the book I was looking at was from Elle Decor but I can't remember the name. Perhaps the books feature different homes than in the mag?
Anyway, beautiful things...
Posted by: CashmereLibrarian | September 24, 2009 at 08:23 AM
such a beautiful collection of living spaces
Posted by: The Perfect Palette | September 24, 2009 at 08:50 AM
ooohhh I'm in love with that royal purple bench! I'm a sucker for purple! thanks! :)
Posted by: caroline - patagonia gifts | September 24, 2009 at 09:28 AM
Beautiful photos! I will take the first room and the purple bench...! Have a great day!
Posted by: cathi | September 24, 2009 at 09:49 AM
I feel so out of the loop -- I haven't been online in weeks! Thanks for the lovely inspiration today to get me back in the swing of things!
Posted by: Kristin @ Contented Me | September 24, 2009 at 10:05 AM
wow! what an inspiration, darling!
xoxo
Posted by: Susan | September 24, 2009 at 10:40 AM
French style is so fantastic - always a cut above other styles in my mind! The colors used in these photos are exquisite.
Also, I tagged you in the Kreativ Blogger awards b/c I just love reading your blog and wanted to recognize how awesome it is!
Check it out here: http://themarginalian.blogspot.com/2009/09/tag-youre-it.html
Posted by: Emily | September 24, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Love any decor magazine images not from the US!
Posted by: Waxy | September 24, 2009 at 01:10 PM
Love the gray! The light in that photo is just stunning!
xo
Posted by: mary jo | September 24, 2009 at 09:03 PM
It's so elegant and earthy at the same time! I really love that combo. I think you can only come by it a bit organically :-). I love the staircase with the gorgeous banister, I want the gilt mirror too (and the aforementioned cream with caviar!)
Posted by: Lilah | September 24, 2009 at 09:45 PM
Love that wallpaper and I never love wallpaper...on the walls that is.
Posted by: Jeanne | September 25, 2009 at 07:48 PM
I've been obsessing with gorgeous, gilded mirrors...these are beautiful. Love the claw foot tub!
Posted by: A Life More Fabulous | September 27, 2009 at 03:05 AM
Love the purple elements in these rooms--especially the walls with a hint of gray to them.
Posted by: ambika | September 27, 2009 at 05:19 PM
gorgeous...ALL of it. i especially like that stairway with the crystal (looking) banister thing (ugh, what's it called again?). anyway, you get my point!
Posted by: Down and Out Chic | September 28, 2009 at 09:10 AM
Every day you have to pay higher than before, because of your life and then disappear short day, so every day you are to more actively. Today is too precious, should not worry for acid bitter and astringent regrets that dissolve, raise the chin, seize today, it never comes back.
Posted by: Nike Shox Navina | September 15, 2010 at 01:24 AM
ni shi shui, wo bu xiaode, ni shi shui, guan wo pishi,wo zhidao wo shi shui jiu hao le,haha.
Posted by: Louis Vuitton Outlet | November 24, 2010 at 12:07 AM
tiffany & coスウォッチ グループ ジャパンはこのほど、東京?銀座のニコラス?G?ハイエック センター内に「ティファニー ウォッチ ショールーム」をオープンした。男性向けの「アトラス ジェント スクエア クロノグラフ」、女性向けの「ティファニー ジェメア」をはじめ、希少性の高いアイテムも展示、販売される。Tiffany Rings
Posted by: ティファニー 激安 | January 24, 2011 at 11:03 PM
漢薬:http://www.kanpoucom.com/i/Product.asp?ClassId=11
三便宝:http://www.kanpoucom.com/i/Show.asp?Proid=150
女性用漢方薬:http://www.kanpoucom.com/i/Product.asp?ClassId=12
男性用漢方薬:http://www.kanpoucom.com/i/Product.asp?ClassId=13
精力剤:http://www.kanpoucom.com/i/Class.asp?ClassId=2
補腎壮陽:http://www.kanpoucom.com/i/Product.asp?ClassId=21
威哥王:http://www.kanpoucom.com/i/Show.asp?Proid=96
ウェイカワン:http://www.kanpoucom.com/i/Show.asp?Proid=96
Posted by: 威哥王 | March 30, 2011 at 06:48 PM
**Byron!**
Your back!!!!!!
I been checking in here every day since the first tornadoes started touching down this year.
*squeeeeeeee*
**jumps up and down**
This is brilliant. Your back!!!!
*****
Posted by: vibram toe shoes | May 10, 2011 at 12:49 AM
Your back!!!!!!
I been checking in here every day since the first tornadoes started touching down this year.
*squeeeeeeee*
**jumps up and down**
This is brilliant. Your back!!!!
Posted by: アニメ 販売 | June 23, 2011 at 07:59 PM
薄毛 プロペシア効果 http://www.edaindesigns.com
プロペシア通販比較 http://www.sititop.com
プロペシア通販比較 http://generic.finasteride.jp
プロペシア通販 http://www.bjbzgg.com
プロペシア通販 http://pro-pecia.net
Posted by: プロペシア通販 | August 20, 2011 at 10:40 AM
プロペシア効果
ミノキシジルタブレット
カークランド
プロペシア
プロペシア通販
Posted by: プロペシア通販 | August 20, 2011 at 10:41 AM
フィンペシア通販比較 http://generic.finasteride.jp
フィンペシア効果 http://plusyu.info
フィンペシア口コミ http://www.despinamedia.com
フィンペシア http://www.leighbrown.info
フィンペシア通販業者 http://www.lorenzoalonso.net
Posted by: プロペシア通販 | August 22, 2011 at 09:30 AM